Specially planned for the October half-term holiday, Storyhouse in Chester is presenting a multi-date event called the “WayWord Festival” for kids.
A celebration of imagination and stories, the festival will feature children’s illustrators and authors live on stage, fun-filled workshops, enchanting theatre, storytelling, arts and crafts, cinema and much more.
A child-friendly production of William Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” and an associated workshop will take place at the art centre’s Garret Theatre, while “Pirates Love Underpants” will see a puppetry performance put on at the Storyhouse Theatre. Other highlights of the festival include award-winning Tom Gates author Liz Pichon launching her new series and Rose Ayling-Ellis, the Bafta-winning actress, introducing her first book called “Marvellous Messages”.
Best-selling children’s author Jacqueline Wilson will also share the latest addition to her much-loved Sleepover series. Since penning her first novel at just nine years old, the esteemed author has now written more than 100 titles and has sold over 40 million copies of her works.
The festival will also offer a wide range of activities that are entirely free for children to attend. These include “Doodle Day”, “The Last Little Pumpkin”, “WayWord Storytime” and an exhibition featuring the artwork of local pupils inspired by illustrator John Duddle called “Rats! rats! rats!”. The exhibit will showcase pirate pictures created at Chester Bluecoat, St Clare’s and Dee Point primary schools.
Storyhouse is located on Hunter Street in Chester, and the WayWord Festival will run from Saturday, October 25 to Sunday, November 2.